Angelique Kerber advances to quarterfinals for the fourth time in seven years at Wimbledon.

Angelique Kerber advances to quarterfinals for the fourth time in seven years at Wimbledon.

Date

09 July 2018

Angelique Kerber advances to quarterfinals for the fourth time in seven years at Wimbledon.

LONDON — Team Yonex players Angelique Kerber (VCORE PROTOTYPE / POLYTOUR FIRE 125)and Belinda Bencic (EZONE 100 / POLYTOUR PRO 125) squared off in the round of 16 on Manic Monday at Wimbledon. Entering the match, Bencic led the head-to-head series 3-0, with all three victories coming in straight sets.

Looking like the previous three WTA meetings, Bencic converted on an early break point and raced out to a 3-1 lead. However, Kerber fought back and won eight of the next nine games to go up 6-3, 3-1.

"I knew she had been playing really well in the last few weeks, so I was expecting a very tough battle,” said Kerber.

Bencic fought back to even the second set at four games a piece, then broke Kerber to go up 5-4. She had four set points on her serve, but the two-time grand slam champion was able to break for the fifth time and ultimately force a set tiebreaker.

In the tiebreaker, Kerber’s experience took over, as she won her 40th match of the year 6-3, 7-5(5).

"In the second set there were a lot of ups and downs and I was trying to play my own tennis in the important moments, to stay in every single point,” said Kerber. “I’m trying not to look left or right, just focus on my play, and improve my tennis every single match. I’m so glad to be in the quarterfinals."

11th-seeded Kerber is now the highest seeded player in the women’s draw and will face (14) Daria Kasatkina (RUS) in the quarterfinals tomorrow.